Honoring veterans of war today

It's Veterans Day and there are a many articles around the state about those who have made significant sacrifices for our country. Men and women who fought in wars for the U.S. Here's a snapshot of the articles this morning:

Kalamazoo resident Roger Greeley served in the Marines and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most brutal battles in World War II. From the Gazette:

At 87, Roger Greeley realizes how few Iwo Jimo survivors remain alive to relate a first-hand account. He calls his fallen comrades the real heroes of Iwo Jima and feels lucky to have left alive. “I am no hero,” he said emphatically. “I’m a survivor.”

Korean War veteran and others remember those killed in recent wars - from the Flint Journal:

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2777 in Flint will honor all the Michigan service members lost in the country's current wars. They're putting the names of the 206 sons and daughters killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on a hand-stenciled sign.

David Roat, 78, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and said, “It’s a very honorable thing to have at our post... It’s really a great thing. It includes all the service personnel we lost throughout the state of Michigan.”

Vietnam War veteran and amputee helps other veterans dealing with amputations - from AnnArbor.com:

Thousands of amputees have returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vietnam War veteran Richard Cutler is helping them. He lost his leg after an accident in 1997. Cutler said amputations are emotional:

“You treat it like a funeral. You mourn if you’ve lost a part of your body. It’s an indignity, but, you know what? Life goes on. I’m lucky.”

The military prohibits women from serving in combat units, but that doesn't mean they don't see combat - especially when fighting insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan - roadside bombs and suicide attacks make battle lines impossible to draw.

The Press reports "since 2001, 124 women have died, 73 in combat. More than 600 have been wounded in action."